Creeping Bentgrass – Agrostis stolonifera

Futterbau Straussgras

Many commercial farms have problems with creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera), which causes pasture stands to become matted.

In a three-year-long trial, different methods of control involving the use of a harrow and reseedings as well as alternating between grazing and mowing were investigated. Although there was no measurable effect with the harrowing and reseeding method, experimental procedures in which management was altered yielded a distinct improvement. Fencing off the grazing area for 3 to 4 weeks to allow the enclosed grass to grow resulted in the suppression of the low-growing creeping bentgrass.

In the described trial, it was shown that the pasture swards were most balanced when mown rather than grazed after the fencing off. Just how often and when a creeping bentgrass-ridden pasture must be treated in this manner in order to revert as quickly as possible to a productive and nutritious sward is currently the subject of further investigations as part of a field trial on two sites.

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